CommentaryFTC Record

WANT TO UP YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING GAME THIS SEMESTER?

FTC Writer Sean Lanigan reviews the book,Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo

Many people’s number one fear is public speaking, something that can give them a lot of anxiety. For thirty years, TED Talks have been delivered by people from all different backgrounds. The 2014 book by Carmine Gallo, Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds, gives examples of these secrets. Gallo, whose other work includes The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, writes about these 9 public speaking secrets:

1. Unleash the Master Within.

2. Master the Art of Storytelling.

3. Have a conversation.

4. Teach me something new.

5. Deliver the Jaw-Dropping moment.

6. Lighten up.

7. Stick to the 18-minute rule.

8. Paint a mental picture with multisensory experiences.

9. Stay in your lane.

For me, one of these topics really stuck out, Secret number 2: Master the art of storytelling. So why is it important to master the art of storytelling? Gallo writes, “Brain scans reveal that stories stimulate and engage the human brain, helping the speaker connect with the audience, and making it much more likely that the audience will agree with the speaker’s point of view.”

For example, famous author Malcolm Gladwell gave a TED Talk about a man named Howard Moskowitz and how he added diversity into the world.

You can watch that 2004 TED Talk here:

So, what made this particular TED Talk stand out? Gladwell told a great story. He portrayed Moskowitz as a hero and someone to root for. Gladwell ended his presentation with this quote,“In embracing the diversity of human beings, we will find a surer way to true happiness.”

In the simplest sense, this quote rings very true to me. Supermarkets in 2020 look much different than in 1980, with many more choices and variety. Great news for someone like me who loves seltzer water. I can now choose many different flavors and brands.

Entering my second year at Five Towns College, I have developed a passion for public speaking. I would highly recommend books like this book for anyone who wants to gain confidence and knowledge in this critical area.

Click here if you’d like to read it for yourself.

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